Fashion: the emperor's new clothes?

Updated on April 15, 2014

clothes to you

Is it crazy to buy a pair of shoes that cost nearly as much as your rent? What about a jar of moisturizer for $250? I hate that saying about "cost-per-wear" and justifying a costly fashion item because you'll wear it again and again, so really it's a steal. Same goes for the salesperson at Neiman's who tells me "You'll only use a teeny-tiny bit of this age-defying serum, so this is actually cheaper than your store-bought brand!" while pushing 6 other products that are completely wrong for my skin.

Nope, I rationalize those seemingly insane fashion purchases by knowing that they make me feel good. I could buy a knock-off, shoes with a bright red sole that someone might think are Christian Louboutains but I'd know they're not. Don't get me wrong--every grrrl loves a good bargain, and it feels even better sometimes to get the well-made fake Chanel wallet for 5 bucks, and feel like you're fooling everyone.

But every once in a while you need the real thing. An occasional splurge isn't going to kill you. Put that Amex card down. I said occasional.

You'll wear those shoes and you'll think you're all that and a bag of chips. And you are. Who cares if you're wearing a shirt or some other item of clothing that was marked down to $4.99? It's the shoes that you're paying attention to. And so are all the other girls around you, they just happen to be drooling while you're feeling incredible.

And some stylish brands will speak to you; some item will haunt you until you buy it. You'll go back to the store 5 times to try something on. Others leave you cold.

Three hundred dollar jeans don't do it for me–plus you'll spend 8 hours finding a pair that fits just right, and sweetcheeks, I've got a life to live.

Jil Sander's stuff looks like she was working on it and then the phone rang and she forgot what she was doing.

On the other hand I have 5 t-shirts from Hot Topic that I love (oh so haute couture, ha!), so I check out the store every couple of weeks and if anyone sees me I say I'm shopping for my niece. She's 12.

And what did Olympia Dukakis say in Steel Magnolias ? "The only difference between us and the animals is our ability to accessorize." Too true, sister.

I'll be shamelessly and proudly wearing my earrings from Claire's that I dressed up with some beads. And Coco Chanel had it right when she said "Take one thing off before you leave the house," but she probably wasn't talking about your undies.

So mix it up. I saw a woman in the Michael Kors store the other day. And she bought the entire age-inappropriate outfit that was on the mannequin in the window, right down to the sunglasses.

Comments 4 comments

Funny.. yeah I got a $50. top out of Belks for $4.99! Um, the other women were running to the rack and I got the last one! Uh.. SO NOT paying $50. for something I might not wear A LOT! or alot! Ya know, it's crazy. The only thing I actually put A LOT of money into (not that i have alot of money but sometimes) is my make up, I love Estee Lauder, and Clinque, but what people don't know is EL owns both as well as M.A.C. So they're just buying new age packaging! Shoes.. as long as they're comfy and I can stand it long I'm not being prissy for a brand name. I love that movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic! The Girl In The Green Scarf! The story is so true! And HAPPENED TO ME. Only I paid $12. for the supposedly Cashmere sweater that was $90.! I should of been in that movie. I love magic cards that you don't need money. Then they send you letters telling you what a valued customer you are, next thing you know they're sending you hate mail. LOL :)

Taylorwise 5 years ago from Austin, TX Author

magic cards....oh so true.

Cogerson 5 years ago from Virginia

Nicely done Taylorwise, I enjoyed reading your view on fashion, very funny stuff you have included as well...voted up.....if I only could get my wife to share your viewpoint...lol

Katharella 5 years ago from Lost in America

Cogerson, you make me wish they'd make a pt 2! She ends up marrying her rich boss lol! Their first encounter when she wants the green scarf, she's a few bucks short and they meet at a hotdog stand, he ends up giving her $20. to shut up and get going, then she says "You just paid $23. for a hotdog" he replies "cost and value are two different things, you want your scarf, I want my hotdog" then it just happens to be her first interview with him lol! But it's so true.

@TW: LOL I bought a pair of those new strappy sandals, and wore them out of the shoe dept last week. (Cog, did you just roll yer eyes??? lol) as I walked past this little girl watched my shoes all the way by. She couldn't take her eyes off my shoes, I couldn't take my eyes off her! ha, so bad I wanted to say.. "I got them with a MAGIC CARD!!! (Ok luckily JCPenny had sent me two cash back coupons, one for "points' lol the other for my birthday so the shoes I actually got free. but the little girl was just like the girl in the movie it was adorable! I seem to have a problem with cost and worth.. I don't care what it cost, it's worth it to me if I can leave the store with it LOL!!!! :) haaa